Quite A Reach For That Cash Bag

RADIO - RADIO WAVES

`The Million Dollar Cash Grab,'' a contest on Magic 107.7 FM (WMGF), is sparking complaints from a competitor who wonders just how many hands are reaching for the dough.

I generally don't pay much attention to radio contests because I never win anything. But the Magic contest drew my interest after hearing ads critical of the ``Cash Grab'' on rival Power 105.9 FM (WOCL).

The WOCL ads don't specifically mention WMGF. Instead, the spots express ``concern'' about an Orlando station that WOCL's announcer says is misleading listeners.

At issue is whether WMGF is making Orlando listeners aware that the ``Cash Grab'' contest involves 29 stations owned by Clear Channel Communications, which owns WMGF.

``We have a problem because it sounds like a local contest, but the truth is, it's not a local contest,'' said Dan Wachs, WOCL general manager. ``They make it sound like someone from Orlando is going to win the million dollars.''

It's not the first time that Clear Channel's Florida stations have drawn complaints about a contest. Just last week, the Florida Attorney General's office assessed the company's Florida stations with a collective $80,000 fine. Listeners to a Tallahassee country station complained that the company didn't properly disclose the odds of winning in a national contest this past fall.

No Orlando stations were involved in that controversy, and WMGF airs contest rules stating that it is involved in a contest with other Clear Channel stations several times each day, says Chris Kampmeier, vice president of programming for Clear Channel's six Orlando stations.

Yet, as a listener, it sure sounded like a local contest to me when morning duo Dean and Darby drew the name of finalist Linda Arndt from a box last Friday. Arndt is the first of four finalists, selected from daily winners who get at least $1,000 for knowing the ``song of the day.'' The finalists will travel to Las Vegas to ``grab'' a bag that might contain $1 million.

Dean and Darby neglected to state that Arndt lives in Port- land, Ore., and that the drawing actually took place in Cincinnati, where Clear Channel's contest center is based.

Orlando listeners don't care about that, says Ken Payne, WMGF program director, who adds that three daily winners in two weeks have been from Orlando.

``From our point of view, once you find out you're not the winner, you don't care if the person is from Oviedo or Australia,'' Payne said.

There's a different view at WOCL, which is giving cash prizes of at least $105.09 to Orlando listeners who identify the ``O-Town Power Sound,'' a random noise that is played three times a day.

``We run contests and give all the money away to local listeners,'' Wachs said. ``Why don't they just announce where the winner's from?''

Payne says he leaves that decision to his hosts, who will announce another finalist in the 7 a.m. hour today on WMGF.

Even though I never win, I think I'll listen this morning.

FAKE . . . OUT!

The most controversial chest in Orlando is scheduled to come down today when Eller Media removes those Orlando Predators billboards with the ``Fake Left, Fake Right'' slogan.

Doc Holliday and Johnny Magic of the 106.7 FM (WXXL) morning show plan to capitalize on the occasion. Sidekick Jason ``Buckethead'' Bailey will be camped beneath the sign at Fairbanks Avenue and Interstate 4 from 7 to 9 a.m. today.

His mission: Give the sign to the listener who emerges as the ``biggest fan'' of the Preds and the XL morning show.

Not sure what it will take to prove that, but here's hoping it doesn't stop traffic.

FREE OR CHEAP?

The Elian Gonzalez story is the source of another billboard sparking I-4 attention.

News-talk 580 AM (WDBO) has fielded dozens of calls from listeners on all sides of the issue because of a billboard visible just before the Altamonte Springs exit on westbound I-4.

People are reacting to the huge day-glo yellow letters that say FREE ELIAN, above the considerably smaller word ``coverage.''

It's no revelation that WDBO offers plenty of Elian coverage, but it is surprising that the station might use such a loaded phrase to capitalize on it.